I can't stop looking (peering, really) at this miniature American folk art drawing/painting, earlyish 19th century ink and watercolor on paper I believe. In addition to being wonderfully done, with marvelous details --the little dog! the profile of the child's face in his mothers arms! the way the house is set into the very green river bank, with stairs marching down---I also love its internal tensions and contradictions. If you look closely, there appear to be tears streaming down the mother's face, thus giving a different weight to the basket and whatever else her husband is carrying, making one wonder how long he is leaving for and where he is heading, and also certainly undermining the "Happy Family" of the title. The logs/ branches lying in his path are the perfect final touch for framing the scene and embodying what I'd think is her to desire, to block her husband's departure.
The painting, which I have not taken out of the frame, appears to be in excellent antique condition, only very minor staining; the color is still very strong. There are minor dings here and there to the old wooden frame, which I don't think detract. Framed: 5 1/16" t x 4" w. Visible area of painting: 4 1/4" x 3 1/4".
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